Winter Front

[MConyers]

So, I've had a few of these trucks. First was a '04.5, onto an '11, '16 and latest is a 2022. I live in Indiana, I'm not putting the front cover on the 2022 again, it just doesn't seem to make a difference. I don't know that the earlier ones did either. I'll still plug it in; but, that is for my comfort, on a timer 3 hours FWIW. Dang things just run.

 

[Diesel85]

I ran one on my 2002 Cummins and it made a difference, especially city driving/low speed driving (more so when the roads were not safe to go more than 25-30 mph).

My 2020 EcoDiesel I got it and I'm getting slightly better fuel economy and better regens.

I've left winter fronts on at temps higher than 40F not towing with no ill effects.

Out of everything, the primary reason I like the winter front is that is helps keep the engine bay MUCH cleaner from the salt which in turn eats everything.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Pc of short pile carper with 10" hole centered on the fan was what I ran on my 12V with out the fan blade in the winter.

 

[AH64ID]

They make a substantial difference, and have on my 05, 18, and now 22. I’ll continue to use them.

 

[Ozymandias]

Don't you have active shutters on yours?

 

[AH64ID]

Don't you have active shutters on yours?

Yes, but those are for aerodynamics more than keeping heat in so the winter front is still important.

The 6.7’s do heat up faster with the EGR, so it feels like the winter front might not be needed but they still keep the radiator and engine bay warmer.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I say use them also but it’s a pain to take them off and put them on going thru the auto car wash in the winter

 

[kthaxton]

I use one on my 2015. It makes an unmistakable difference in not only operating temps, but the speed at which the engine gets up to temp.

 

[Grumpy8811]

realistically a winterfront is for use in arctic climates, aka it is below 0F and you also may need to use other cold weather operation techniques just to keep the truck running and avoid problems. glad I don't have to deal with that stuff anymore.

 

[AH64ID]

realistically a winterfront is for use in arctic climates, aka it is below 0F and you also may need to use other cold weather operation techniques just to keep the truck running and avoid problems. glad I don't have to deal with that stuff anymore.

From the owners manual

 

[Ozymandias]

So the point is idling it for extended periods of time, like EMR or other services that sit put for hours.

 

[AH64ID]

So the point is idling it for extended periods of time, like EMR or other services that sit put for hours.

I read it as anytime below 32°F, which isn’t true if towing, but there is special emphasis on extended idling.

 

[Topzide]

It seems that they want that heat to be kept around the engine compartment for emissions purposes. Makes good sense if you would need to be at idle for extended times.

 

[Grumpy8811]

It seems that they want that heat to be kept around the engine compartment for emissions purposes. Makes good sense if you would need to be at idle for extended times.

the emissions system has its own programming to keep the emissions system at operating temperatures. If you leave your truck idling for long periods of time,
you may hear the engine fast idle on its own or the exhaust note change pitch, and that is generally the engine ECM trying to keep the exhaust system up to temp.

big problem with long periods of idle speed operation is cylinder temps eventually go down and this leads to ring sticking, carbon buildup and other issues
some of the vehicles mentioned ( ambulances and fire equipment) may have a fast idle switch similar to the one used in the RAm and it is generally recomended to use it for long idle periods.

the engine cooling system itself has a thermostat and as long as the thermostat is closed, the coolant only circulates thru the engine itself, never going to the radiator except when the therm is open.. the winterfront really has little do with that part of the cooling system, but it is used to help keep the engine compartment warmer and reduce overcooling..

you also find for most users of these pickup trucks, you just don't need to do anything special in the cold months, except if you are having a problem maintaining coolant system temps.

you can really read into what Cummins has to say about winterizing if you read this pdf... starting on page 4 which is a service bulletin direct from Cummins Operation of Diesel Engines in Cold Climates https://sennebogen-na.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/12/Cold-Weather-Operation.pdf

 

[AH64ID]

It seems that they want that heat to be kept around the engine compartment for emissions purposes. Makes good sense if you would need to be at idle for extended times.

Winter fronts long predate emissions requirements.

Less cylinder wash down, reduced fuel consumption, quicker heating, less heat loss when parked, and a more effective block heater are just some of the benefits.

the emissions system has its own programming to keep the emissions system at operating temperatures. If you leave your truck idling for long periods of time,
you may hear the engine fast idle on its own or the exhaust note change pitch, and that is generally the engine ECM trying to keep the exhaust system up to temp.

big problem with long periods of idle speed operation is cylinder temps eventually go down and this leads to ring sticking, carbon buildup and other issues
some of the vehicles mentioned ( ambulances and fire equipment) may have a fast idle switch similar to the one used in the RAm and it is generally recomended to use it for long idle periods.

the engine cooling system itself has a thermostat and as long as the thermostat is closed, the coolant only circulates thru the engine itself, never going to the radiator except when the therm is open.. the winterfront really has little do with that part of the cooling system, but it is used to help keep the engine compartment warmer and reduce overcooling..

you also find for most users of these pickup trucks, you just don't need to do anything special in the cold months, except if you are having a problem maintaining coolant system temps.

you can really read into what Cummins has to say about winterizing if you read this pdf... starting on page 4 which is a service bulletin direct from Cummins Operation of Diesel Engines in Cold Climates https://sennebogen-na.com/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2022/12/Cold-Weather-Operation.pdf

There are multiple reasons why the engine might fast idle. In cold weather is mostly to keep the engine warm and cylinder temps up. This was part of the programming long before current emissions equipment was introduced.

The emissions based fast idle is not exclusive to cold temps, but will occur anytime the truck is idled for an extended period. I believe Cummins calls it Net Zero and Net Reduction idling.

 

[kthaxton]

Ultimately, a winter front makes your cooling system less efficient....which is what you need in cold temps when the engine is not working hard.

 

[BigPapa]

I find it ironic we're discussing Cold Fronts on a day it's over 100* here in middle TN....

 

[Diesel85]

I find it ironic we're discussing Cold Fronts on a day it's over 100* here in middle TN....

It's 88F here in Upstate NY........

Amazing it can get as cold as -45F here all the way to well over 100F where I live.

This past winter, I really didn't need the winter front, other than to keep the engine bay cleaner. It never got below 5F at night. Very strange. I'm used to a string of -5--8F's over week, and that's still warm.

I'm hoping it will be like -20F to see how my EcoD likes starting in extremely cold weather. (Who wishes that, right?!!!? LOL)

 

[Cummins12V98]

I make every attempt to stay +32•

 

[Turbo Terry]

Well it’s 55 f here it got to 77f twice this summer. One dayin July and one day in August I hate the heat